The Imperial Faction of the Numinous Episcopate had sent three demigods this time, ostensibly to oversee the Loen Military and the Rose School. Although Daniel Valley lay in Paz Valley, it was relatively far south and not too distant from territory the Balam Restoration Army actually controlled.
Their leader was a dignified, beautiful woman who looked about thirty, with long black hair and brown eyes. Faced with the Silent One's challenge, she replied without concern:
"The Demoness Sect was once a close ally of our Balam Empire, but that relationship ended long ago, when the god disappeared...
"We can't command them now."
The Silent One, Mackhamus, stared at her for some time, seemingly using an ability to verify her words. At last, he nodded slowly. "Bruna, it seems you aren't lying...
"The Demoness Sect must have noticed something... or someone on Loen's side leaked the news...
"They used a demoness's ship as cover earlier. It's hardly surprising they were found out."
Mackhamus did not press the matter of Loen. Unlike the Numinous Episcopate, which also operated on the Southern Continent, the Loen Kingdom was a true enemy. And an enemy could be expected to use any means at its disposal.
All he needed to establish was that the Numinous Episcopate had not deliberately interfered.
With that thought, Mackhamus took a golden nail covered in fine patterns from his pocket and drove it through both his lips.
As a Silent One, he had to pay the price for speaking.
The Loen demigod was taken aback by the sight, but Bruna of the Numinous Episcopate was used to it. She turned to look north, toward Daniel River Valley, and sighed inwardly:
Roselle, after all these years, I still can't see through your plans...
*If you asked me to conceal that lion's whereabouts,